In recent years the evolving film and TV business has dictated that I expand from a cinematogaphy specialist into one of the all-around “filmmakers” that abound these days.
So I produce, edit, direct, shoot, write. Besides creating video for three Youtube channels, also working on the development of a feature length Bio-doc, and shooting stock footage for four major film biraries, I recently spent the summer producing the 75th Anniversary video of the Fiesta La Ballona for Culver City.
Where are 75 years of visuals stored from events that began in 1951?
Remember where Gandalf had to go to research what the heck the ONE RING was? A dusty archive with huge old giant books.
The Culver City historical Society is the guardian of huge scrapbooks containing decades of newspaper clippings, photos and original documents from the eras. In some cases the books needed restoration from tape and glue disintegration before scanning and photography could be done.
The huge task of sorting through yearly photo albums compiled by the various fiesta organizing committees seemed like the efforts that museum scholars put into searching their archives.
Film and Video imagery from as far back as 1948 as well as 1990s and 2000s video was curated and woven into the story line.
What’s the message of the film? it’s a nostalgic look at how the citywide celebration evolved from a week-long, community-wide event that attracted 150,000 people; boasted TV coverage and parades, sporting events, contests, dances, teen drama productions — even beard-growing contests.
The production is a fascinating time capsule showing how social patterns have changed over the years. The film is designed to run continuously for Fiesta-goers at the 2026 weekend event the last weekend of August.
